© FC Bayern
Ena Mahmutovic, Linda Dallmann and Anna Klink first stopped by to watch the FC Bayern Women’s training session with interest, then had a go at the standing long jump themselves – a special source of motivation for the FC Bayern members present. Emma and her father, Andreas Rimmele, for example, were moving back and forth between the stations at the FC Bayern Campus. Both were taking part in different groups, into which everyone had been assigned to sit the German Sports Badge test. But that didn’t stop them from cheering each other on. On this day, FC Bayern was once again one big sporting family, bringing together young and old, including professionals.
It was the second time the champions of Germany had organised the official German Sports Badge assessment exclusively for their members, supported by numerous volunteers from their sports departments and the FCB initiative PACK MA’S. Around 100 members aged between 14 and 78 turned up at the FC Bayern Campus in summery temperatures, most from Munich and the surrounding area, but some also from Essen, Düsseldorf and Hanover. As early as 9am, young people from the FC Bayern TEENS CLUB were the first to warm up – motivated, focused and ready to give their all in strength, speed and coordination.
Member vs. mascot: Who won this race? | © FC Bayern
“We want to show just how much fun sport is, regardless of age or ability. FC Bayern is a club that gets people moving, because sport brings people together and instils values – fairness, respect, team spirit and mutual support. When our members push themselves to their limits here, cheer each other on and laugh together, that is exactly what FC Bayern stands for,” explained Kiki Hasenpusch, the club’s deputy managing director.
Some people underestimated the discipline of skipping, so they were all the prouder when they even learned and successfully mastered backwards skips or double jumps. When it came to shot put, on the other hand, the motto is sometimes it’s better to take cover. The basketball mascot Ben, competing alongside Berni, could throw far but not always straight and really deserved an Honorary Sports Badge for his efforts, with victory in the sprint against a club member, impressive distances in shot put and the standing long jump.
In Group 4 out of a total of 9 – the ‘middle-aged men’s group’ – a real FC Bayern family bonded over the course of the day. They shared tips, celebrated success together and took group photos, especially when the two-metre mark was cleared in the standing long jump. The best performances of the day were achieved by Björn Wagner with 2.71 metres in the long jump and 41.90 metres in the shot put, as well as Andreas Zuleger with 41.50 metres, Tim Engelke with 11.9 seconds in the 100-metre sprint and Daniel Böhm with 7.3 seconds in the 50-metre sprint. Emma Rimmele also managed an impressive 20 cross-overs in the rope skipping event.
Some of the participants had already taken the opportunity to earn the badge last year, and even those who had to sit it out due to injury were there in spirit. “There was nothing but positive feedback in the WhatsApp group. I hope you’ll offer this again so I can take part,” wrote member Martin Reue. Another participant reported that the training plans for the future give her “more routine in her daily life and plenty of vitality”.
Many rounded off the day together at the clubhouse afterwards, amidst participants and volunteers who all share the anticipation of the special ceremony in the autumn, when the German Sports Badge in bronze, silver or gold will be officially celebrated with FC Bayern.